To uphold law and order and ultimately ensure public safety, the city government in partnership with the police and other law enforcement agencies have initiated a massive crackdown against obstructions along the highway in both east and west coasts of the city.

The drive, spearheaded by the City Administrator’s office, covered the areas from Ayala to Lower Calarian in the west coast and from Sangali down to the city proper in the east coast. It covered all obstructions that include structures, pedicabs, motor vehicles and all other forms of obstructions.

Assistant City Administrator Elmeir Apolinario said the crackdown is based on the provisions of Department Order 52 series of 2003 of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Presidential Decree 17 and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) memorandum circular mandating all local government units to clear road right of ways of obstructions (3 meters both sides from the edge of the road right of way).

According to Apolinario, the District Engineer’s Office has made representations with City Hall to help DPWH in the enforcement of DO 52, thus, the launching of the joint drive.

Apolinario stressed that the campaign should be a concerted effort of all agencies and sectors specifically the barangay and police officials in the different areas. “On its own, the City Government cannot efficiently sustain the drive. We need the support and cooperation of all agencies”.

The massive drive conducted the past days, the City Hall official said, serves as a warning to the public to strictly comply with the law by not obstructing the road right of way.

“We are doing this for the safety not only of the people (who intend to violate the law) but also the commuters and drivers who use the highways,” Apolinario said.

Meanwhile, Apolinario together with the police personnel over the weekend initiated a dialogue with over 200 pedicab and tricycle drivers and owners who were apprehended during the crackdown in Recodo, Ayala and Calarian.

The authorities have explained about existing laws and the subsequent penalties for violation thereof. “We cannot do otherwise but to apprehend them because that is the law and it is a national directive,” Apolinario said.

Pedicabs are allowed only to ply barangay roads and cross highways but not to ply and compete with motorized vehicles on national highways and city streets.

Most of the pedicab drivers apprehended during the crackdown were minors, unlicensed and no proper documents to drive or operate pedicab units. Apolinario said the campaign will be continuous but hoped that the barangay officials and law enforcers will fully support and cooperate with the local government in the effort to clear the road right of way/ highway of obstructions. — Sheila Covarrubias